Symbolic Usage of Colors in Flags

Most countries around the world have flags. The flags have different colors as well as designs. While it is easy to assume that these colors mean nothing, if you look closely, you will find that they are actually symbolic representations of the values, ideals and allegiance of those countries, among other things. The colors are also used to express religious symbolism. This is a phenomenon that is common to flags that belong to Islamic or Arab countries such as Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Libya.

Colors in flags may also be used to symbolize a passionate feeling towards something, for instance a nation, organization or belief. The shapes or numbers that the flags are comprised of also have their meanings. In most cases, blue color in the flags symbolizes ethnic heritage, determination or defeating one’s enemies. Green in the flags can symbolize agriculture, earth, fertility or a Muslim religion.

Another common color that you will find in most flags is blue. In most cases, it is used to represent freedom, justice, perseverance, vigilance, peace, prosperity or patriotism. Red is also a common color in flags and it is used to symbolize blood, revolution, hardiness, or valor. If you see color white in a flag, it is most likely being used to represent peace, mountain snow, purity or innocence. It may also represent surrender.

If you look closely at the flags of the world, you will notice that some color combinations are symbolic. For instance red, yellow or gold and green are colors that are common to many flags of African countries, for instance Cameroon, Benin, Ethiopia, Mali, Guinea, just to mention a few. They are often referred to as the Pan-African colors. Red, white, black and green is a color combination that is common to most Arab countries such as United Arab Emirates and Syria among others. They are commonly referred to as the Pan-Arab colors.

If you look at the American flag, you will find that it is comprised of thirteen alternating horizontal stripes that are all of equal height. Seven of these stripes are red while the remaining six are white. There is a blue rectangle in the upper left corner on which there are fifty white five-pointed stars. These are not merely decorations. Every color and symbol has meaning to it. In this case, red symbolizes hardiness and valor, white symbolizes purity and innocence while blue signifies perseverance, vigilance and justice.

The American flag in general is a symbol of national unity as well as pride for the country. The fifty stars in the blue rectangle are used to represent the fifty states. The meaning of the colors and symbols may vary from country to country. For instance, what red stands for in the American flag may not necessarily be the same thing as what that same color symbolizes in the Ethiopian flag. You may also find different interpretations of these colors from different people based on events that happened in the past or philosophical values.

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About Us

Our business was started by Elmer Reider in 1963. He believed that if you offered quality products and honest service, people would return and tell others. Making flags and banners for over 50 years, Elmer’s Flag and Banner is Portland’s largest flag store with 4,000 square feet of flags, whimsical windsocks, weather vanes, kites, flagpoles and more.